The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future [Paperback]

Tom Devane (Editor), Peggy Holman (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1576750582 | ISBN-13: 978-1576750582 | Publication Date: July 22, 1999

Originators and practitioners of such change methods as Future Search, Real Time Strategic Change, Gemba Kaizen, and Open Space Technology outline the distinctive aspects of their approaches, detail roles and responsibilities, share stories illustrating their use, and answer frequently asked questions. A comparative chart allows readers to evaluate the methods to find the one that seems best for them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An invaluable guide to the most promising change work being done in organizations today. This book is a genuine gift to all those seeking to create workplaces that truly welcome people's commitment and creativity." -- Margaret J. Wheatley, author,Leadership and the New Science co-author, A Simpler Way

"In a world where change is the norm, where the effectiveness of organizations is a competitive advantage, and where we have more change methodologies available than most people could absorb in a lifetime, this book has identified how to match the best approach to the situation. While providing structured guidelines for organizational improvement, the authors acknowledge and celebrate the power of creativity and engaged people to provide the energy needed for successful change." -- Susan Mersereau Vice President, Organization Effectiveness Weyerhaeuser Company

"Lots of change management books tell you how things work in theory. This one also shows how the culture change process at GTE and other companies worked in practice. It's a good resource for any leader looking for both ideas and proven results." -- Tom White, Senior Executive Vice President - Market Operations GTE Corporation

"This book is about a great ideas written from the experience of great people. The methods lovingly detailed in the book are for those who want to change the world 60 to 600 people at a time. The practical techniques are based on an optimistic, affectionate view of human nature and a faith in the capacity that resides in each citizen. The authors are radical in that they believe in democracy, they know that the answer that we seek outside really resides within, and they each have given their lives to perfect the strategies that they describe. Reading this book will place you in great company, regardless of where you sit in the grand scheme of things. If organization and community change is what you care about, and hope is what you long for, this book offers a doable path to both. It is a good book, nicely edited, delivered in bites that you can swallow." -- Peter Block, author, Flawless Consulting and Stewardship

Product Details

• Paperback: 394 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (July 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576750582
• ISBN-13: 978-1576750582
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've always been happiest when I'm learning, especially when it engages both my head and my heart. That may explain how I ended up with an undergraduate degree in drama and an MBA with an emphasis in finance.

I spent the first 17 years of my working life in software. I was a programmer, project manager, and a systems development manager. In 1993, I ran into "emergent change processes". They engage the people of a system in addressing what matters to them. Working with processes and people appealed to the part of me that found software wasn't enough. After experimenting with these processes in corporate settings, in 1996, I left organizational life to consult and pursue my quest to understand what made emergent change processes effective.

That first foray led to The Change Handbook (1999), co-edited with Tom Devane. The book, considered the "bible" for the field, provided 18 methodologies for engaging whole systems.

In addition to corporate clients, my consulting practice attracted government and nonprofits that wanted to engage civil society to find answers to complex questions.

In 2001, I joined three journalists to co-found Journalism that Matters (JTM). We bring together pioneers in the throes of emergence, as providing news and information experiences a death and re-birth. Working with such upheaval requires both head and heart!

In 2004, with social philosopher, Tom Atlee, and "evolutionary evangelist", Michael Dowd, I co-hosted an "Evolutionary Salon" - a gathering of scientists, spiritual leaders, and social activists to explore the implications of evolutionary emergence on human systems. After four salons, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation funded Tom and me in developing a model of evolution centered on the role of interaction. It deepened my understanding of emergence and convinced me there was something important to share.

Joined by Steven Cady, the second edition of The Change Handbook was published in 2007. Because the field has exploded, the book included over 60 methodologies. That growth inspired me to dive into the deeper patterns of these methods and connect them with a theory of emergence to create my latest book -- Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Resource Treasuretrove, February 23, 2000

By 

Richard Henry (Bellevue, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future (Paperback)

Holman and Devane have created an amazing resource for anyone interested in helping to shape the future of our organizations and communities. 18 proven group methods each have their own chapter written by originators and/or foremost practitioners.

The editors have done an excellent job of sheparding each chapter so that the story is alive, honoring the uniqueness and history. And, also, consistent information is presented, allowing comparison among the methods. The comparative matrix is a powerful tool for picking methods appropraite to a particular context.

Reading each chapter is like having a conversation with an expert; it is a quick and most effective way of understanding the method. Then, to dig deeper, the book provides a comprehenhsive list of resources for each method.

There is a synergy between the methods that makes this book more powerful than 18 separate books (and very much more accessible). And Holman's and Devane's editing and opening and closing chapters weave all into a beautiful tapestry. If you care about creating the future, this book provides help.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful!, May 8, 2001

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future (Paperback)

This handbook of change is a must-have for any executive, simply as a primer in the language spoken by consultants. Read this book and become instantly familiar with the latest, most successful, and even the trendiest theories of change management. The editors have evaluated 18 leading change methods, as applied and tested by some of the largest corporations in the United States. They group the change methods by functional categories, making it easier for readers to go directly to the method that applies to their particular problem. Another bonus: The leading practitioners in the field write the change method chapters, bringing a unique depth of perspective. The editors also have written several excellent chapters on the nature of change. An extraordinary comparative matrix - worth the price of the book by itself - is included in the "Afterword." We [...] recommend this book to executives, managers, change agents, human resources professionals and students.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start for doing large scale interventions, June 28, 2001

By 

Patrick Merlevede (Eeklo, Vlaanderen (Belgium, Europe)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future (Paperback)

When you want to change a company and you do this top-down, using a cascade system in which higher levels of your organisation change the lower levels, you are in for a long change process. For instance, specialists will tell you it can take 7 years before you really change a company's culture. No wonder people like Art Kleiner (co-author of "The Dance of Change") will warn you that up to 70% of your change efforts will fail. The solution comes from taking a more systemic approach, involving as much people of the organisation at once as possible. These kinds of large scale interventions often do wonders if the management is willing to work in a more participative manner. Some methods are more directed to specific change goals, whether it is to set a new direction for your organisation or redefining working relationships (re-organising the buisiness); other methods are more adaptable.

This book will help you find your way in the world of large scale interventions. The 18 proven group methods each have a chapter, written by originators and/or foremost practitioners. Each method-chapter includes a case, the explanation of the methodology, the conditions to success, the theoretical basis, etc. In the back of the book you'll find a table describing all 18 methods (explaining how many people can be involved, how lang the change process takes, how it impacts the organisation, etc.). Once you have found which method fits your situation, you'll find references to more specific books explaining a particular method. Another book painting the big picture as well is Barbara Bunker's "Large Scale Interventions".

I recommend the book as a place to start, if you are prepared to treat your organisation as having more EQ than each of the individuals.

Patrick E.C. Merlevede -- co-author of 7 Steps to Emotional Intelligence

I also submitted a "listmania" list entitled "Systemic Large Group Interventions" in which you'll find more references on this topic.